"Do Nothing Congress" Strategy ala Truman May Not Work For Obama

June 10, 2012 - PRLog -- PHILADELPHIA - June 10, 2012 - Although it worked for President Harry Truman,  if President Obama engages in a strategy of attacking the 'Do Nothing Congress," there are at least two differences with that President's 1948 election  and today to reckon with, according to a podcast.

In 1948 seized on the Republican Party platform of that year, pushed through by moderate candidate Thomas Dewey of New York, calling for housing and fighting inflation and support for hospitals and education and called Congress into special session this year.  With a party's platform so close to his own, Truman was able to capitalize on Congress's inaction and call them a 'Do Nothing Congress.   He gained valuable rhetorical leverage from his poor political position.  Although he held the White House, Truman did not control either branch of Congress.  

2012 looks a little bit different, according to a recent episode of the podcast.  The President's party does not control the House, but does control the Senate.  Attempts to paint the House may point attention to the Senate.  And today, there will not likely be a 2012 GOP platform that will be easy for President Obama to agree with and give them a session of Congress to enact - the difference between the parties approach to the economy and other problems are well stated.   It's not likely that a Romney platform would involve the type of stimulus measures, student loan assistance, mortgage protections and other actions the President would seek.  

"The GOP of 2012 will not give the President the kind of 'free shot on goal' that Truman got, enabling him to say OK well go ahead and pass your plan." said Bruce Carlson, host of the 'My History Can Beat Up Your Politics' podcast.  "Democrats own a chamber of the Congress, there's a clear polarization between parties to the point that might raise a few eyebrows if the tried to turn the differences between branches into a question of inaction by Congress.  That being said, perhaps his communicative abilities could make it work."

"My History Can Beat Up Your Politics" is a podcast that applies history to understand today's politics better.  The podcast is available on iTunes or can be found at http://www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com.